Local lawmakers concerned with youth’s health, education, safety

by Ruth Ferguson of North Dallas Gazette

Since the Legislature’s committees are now fully active, politicians in Austin are focusing on gaining support for bills as they come up for consideration. Representatives from the Metroplex were especially busy this past week.

On Monday, March 2, Representative Vicki Truitt of Keller presented her bill, House Resolution (HCR) 54 to the House. HCR 54 is generally referred to as the “porn free internet” bill.

The resolution would not change any Texas laws, but, if passed, would put pressure from the Texas Legislature onto the U.S. Congress to pass the Internet Community Ports Act (ICPA).

The ICPA, a bill getting much attention in Washington D.C. and being endorsed by other states, has yet to be presented to the U.S. Congress. The purpose of the ICPA would limit access to and regulate adult content via the internet; it is aimed at limiting the exposure of children to such content by helping parents monitor and control what content their child will see or be able to find on the web.

If Texas adopts this resolution, the ICPA will gain more momentum to be passed when presented to Congress.

HCR 54 has been referred to the Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce Committee. Some testimony and public hearings were held last week in regards to the resolution, but as of Friday, March 6, HCR 54 was left pending in committee.

On Thursday, March 5, Dallas Representative Helen Giddings presented her bill, House Bill (HB) 1807. HB 1807 is designed to protect Texans who work in the construction industry and pertains directly to crane operators, inspectors, riggers, and signal persons.

Her bill suggests Texas require these workers to be certified and licensed by the State and by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). By overseeing the licensing and complying with NCCCO standards, she feels construction sites will become safer work environments.

The bill has been referred to the House’s Licensing and Administration Procedures Committee, and, as of Friday, March 6, is not scheduled for any type of hearings or public testimony.

Carrollton Representative Burt Solomons brought attention to his bill, HB 1310, on Friday. HB 1310 suggests minors have limited access to indoor tanning beds. Specifically, the bill would require a parent’s knowledge, consent, and accompaniment, along with a physician’s note stating the maximum amount of overall time or number of sessions the minor is allowed to have. The goal of the bill is to reduce premature skin cancer and protect the health of Texas youth.

HB 1310 was referred to the Public Health Committee and, as of Friday, March 6, not scheduled for any reviews.

Area Senators were also busy this week. Senator John Carona of Dallas announced his bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1256. The bill would create “No-Gang Zones” around places where children frequent, like schools, parks, youth centers, and playgrounds. SB 1256 purposes harsher penalties for people convicted of involvement in gang activities near these purposed “No-Gang Zones.”

As of Friday, March 6, SB 1256 has not been referred to any committee or scheduled to be considered on the Senate floor.

Plano Senator Florence Shapiro also presented two of her bills this week.

On Wednesday, March 4, she presented SB 175 to the Senate Committee for Higher Education; Shapiro is also the chair of that committee. SB 175 would limit the number of freshmans a university can accept under Texas Top 10% Rule.

The Top 10% Rule, passed in 1997, guarantees any applicant to a university admission if the student finished high school within the top 10% of their class. Universities are now finding most incoming freshman classes are primarily admitted under the Top 10% Rule. Without a cap, freshman classes fill faster and lack diversity, ultimately taking away from the students’ university experience and learning opportunities. Additionally, since they are required to accept all top 10% applicants many universities are becoming limited on space.

After hearing testimony from various University of Texas officials, SB 175 was passed by the Senate Higher Education Committee to the Senate floor for further review.

On Thursday, March 5, Shapiro also presented SB 3. SB 3 purposes overhauling the accountability of public school systems. She suggests eliminating the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS test, and base accountability on a two tiered ranking system – accreditation and overall district distinction. The accreditation tier would consist of student achievement, college preparedness, and workforce skills and readiness at the time of graduation, and district distinction would consist of student achievements, fine arts programs and opportunities, and general language skills and programs.

SB 3 will be heard by the Senate Education Committee later in session.

More committee meetings and bill presentations are scheduled this week for both the House and the Senate.

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